People often ask me why I am in marketing. I know, it seems like your insurance agent. You don’t want to admit that something horrible could happen, but you need to make sure you are covered in a case it does. Well, marketing people are much the same way. The best of us, really good at what we do, watch people…analyze….and find ways into their buying consciousness. Does that seem predatory? Perhaps.

Unfortunately, people sense this about marketers. Like we are all the tele-markers that call you during dinner time trying to refinance your house or get you to take another credit card. No…but I would like to note in this space that if AT&T calls me just once more (7 times in 2 days) that I will be going to a cable phone line!!

See, for each client I work with, I can see the vision of their dreams. I don’t take every client. I would not waste my time or efforts with people less than motivated to reach for success. They get to define that goal for themselves. Is it tons of money? Ok. Is it taking their messages of love to the world? Yes. Is it starting a business so that they don’t move through life stumbling over a 9-5 existence? Super. I can help with these visions.

Here’s the confessions part: What is in it for me? If you say money, true. I get paid, but that is not the payoff. If it were, why would I live in the blogosphere? Why would I turn down clients who do not have the passion needed or the understanding of achievement? Why would I fire clients who are not meeting my expectations? (yes…did that twice this week!) I mean, anyone can write a check each month!

What is in it for me is a small idea I have called “Building Dreams on Dreams.” That means, quite literally, that I get to participate in the construction of other peoples dream.

I get to see that first direct mail campaign equal a sale.

I get to watch as the website or blog start to get responses.

I get see their PR turn into interviews and product buzz.

I build my dream—being the Marketing Goddess—on the successful achievement of the dreams of others. That is worth more than money to me. So, here I am blogging about the best ways to market for those who need help and understanding to get their part of the dream.

If you have questions, comments, or emotional outburst….well, that is why I am here! ~~Diana, Marketing Goddess

Have you ever noticed that almost every person selling something is yelling the word FREE? Most times, customers are so desensitized to the idea of getting something for FREE, that you automatically become suspect and jeopardize your credentials. If you customers do not trust you, then you will not make the sale.

Does this mean that you should never use the word FREE in a sales or marketing promotion? No, but it does mean that FREE must have value for you customer to give them a reason to share their information with you.

The three most common mistakes that marketers make when trying to reach customers with the word “FREE” hanging like an albatross around their neck are:

Not providing content worthy of your customer’s interests.

Using deceit to draw your customer into your marketing without providing value.

Trying to sell goods or services to your customer with the word FREE attached.

What you are saying? Not try to sell to my customers? If you are starting to stutter and shift uneasily in your chair, then please get a grip. The Marketing Goddess is ready to explain all to those trusting souls with patience!

Your goal is never to sell someone a product based on your FREE product. Your goal is to get them to buy into later sale efforts by leaving their contact information. Whether you offer a free newsletter, podcast, white paper, or report, your goal is to build a trust with your customer by providing a FREE value. Later emails set up a drip marketingcampaign in which you touch your customer repeatedly with information of products mixed with education.

In truth, it’s like someone asking you to buy a car before you have driven it. What your customer wants to feel assured about is that you have their best interest at heart. As you can see from anyone of these documents, they are all timely, focused marketing pieces built to help the consumer with important information or education. After all, why spend your days knocking on your customers door when you could be using the power of your blog and the internet to bring them to you!

Want an extra Marketing secret? Dont want to produce content yourself? Contact someone who has free marketing podcasts, white papers, or materials and ask to promote it on your site!

If you have questions, comments, or emotional outburst….well, that is why I am here! ~~Diana, Marketing Goddess